Kitanna
Chapter 249: A WOMAN OF SORROW

Chapter 249: A WOMAN OF SORROW

[MUSIC RECOMMENDATION: I CAN’T SAY THAT ~ KIM NA YOUNG]

Lady Hash attempted to rise from her position but failed, her legs trembling uncontrollably as she crashed into the water, soaking her entire dress.

"Venantius! Venantius..." The woman muttered, her chest constricting with each breath. She resisted believing the man; he seemed intent on pushing her to the brink with his words. Yet, considering it, Venantius had nothing to gain from lying about her offspring.

Lady Hash shook her head; the baby was merely a day old when she abandoned her. No child could survive without a mother’s care, no child... her thoughts conflicted.

Dominique, observing from a distance, witnessed the woman’s fall into the fountain, her hands flailing as she screamed the supreme king’s name. He couldn’t help but wonder what had left her in such a state.

Venantius sauntered over to where his aide waited, a grin adorning his features as his hand lingered in his trouser pocket. "She paints a beautiful yet sorrowful picture, does she not? The tragedy of the brave Mother Hen," the man remarked before strolling away.

Dominique nodded in agreement, it was a sad painting in front of him. He turned to face the king. "What about his highness? Should I go and bring him?"

Venantius clicked his tongue, "That would be embarrassing for my heir, I should let his presence make a loud noise don’t you agree? If he loves the girl he would come knocking at my door. Let us head home now and prepare for his return." The man replied, leaving the fountain like he was never there.

At the fountain, Lady Hash wailed, unable to discern the myriad of emotions overwhelming her. She, who failed to recognize her own child all this time, she, who abandoned her own child, was no different from Venantius. In the end, the man had her child with him and there was nothing she could do about it.

Kayla dropped the soap she held upon seeing Lady Hash in the water. "Lady Hash! Oh my! What happened? Did you slip on a rock?" The girl asked, rushing to help the woman stand.

Lady Hash, though soaked, stuttered, "Axilla... bring her to me... bring Axilla to me this instant!" The woman shouted through tears.

Kayla hurried back to the inn to alert the Chief, yet found no sign of Axilla.

"Chief Cortez, I don’t know what’s happening to Lady Hash. She keeps calling for Axilla!" Kayla panicked, her hand trembling against her drenched dress.

Cortez swiftly emerged from the room, racing towards the fountain where Lady Hash continued to cry out for Axilla.

"Lady Hash, what is the matter?" The young man inquired, his concern evident as he approached.

Lady Hash turned her head towards Cortez’s voice, her body shivering from the cold. "He was here... your father was here!" The woman exclaimed.

Kayla, standing behind her Chief, failed to grasp the significance of the woman’s fear towards Cortez’s father.

Cortez raised an eyebrow, "You knew him all this time? Where is he? Who is he?" He bombarded Lady Hash with questions.

Lady Hash shook her head, her body trembling. "Bring Axilla this instant, where is she?!" The woman shrieked.

Cortez turned to Kayla, "Find Axilla, go and bring her."

Kayla scurried back to the inn, searching for Axilla to no avail. Returning, she informed Cortez of her failure.

Soon, chaos engulfed the inn as everyone searched for the young girl.

Lady Hash who was now wrapped with a shawl wandered aimlessl, calling out for Axilla amidst her tears. It was a heartbreaking sight.

"I cannot bear to lose you again, please come back to me, please I’m sorry for leaving you behind my child..." The woman wailed.

Cortez, also searching for Axilla, overheard Lady Hash’s words, furrowing his brow in confusion.

Kayla approached her master, her heart pounding with fear. "Chief Cortez, I believe I recall something," the girl muttered, her mind racing.

Cortez raised his brow, motioning for her to speak.

"I am uncertain, but I believe Axilla departed for Lady Jenna’s mansion. I did not mention it earlier, fearing it was a mere dream. She left early this morning," the girl recounted.

Lady Hash, Cortez, and Kayla set off for the Oleka mansion. Upon arrival, Lady Hash was the first to disembark from the carriage, running blindly even as she stumbled, using her stick to navigate as she called out for Axilla.

"Axilla..." Her voice trailed off.

Kayla rushed to aid the woman in finding her way inside.

The mansion’s servants furrowed their brows, the scene seeming all too familiar.

Cortez swiftly approached the mansion, calling out for Lady Jenna.

Lady Jenna, just having finished her morning bath, emerged from the mansion, a jacket draped over her shoulder.

"Cortez, to what do I owe the pleasure of your visit?" She inquired, noticing an elderly woman repeatedly calling out, though her words were indiscernible.

Cortez ran a hand through his hair, "Was Axilla here this morning?" He asked in a direct manner.

Jenna nodded, "Yes, but she departed hours ago. Is something amiss?" She questioned, her worry evident.

Lady Hash collapsed to the ground, "He took her, Cortez, he took her away," she cried out.

Lady Jenna furrowed her brow in confusion, "Axilla was indeed here early this morning. She mentioned receiving a letter bearing my seal, summoning her here. However, I sent no such letter."

Cortez rubbed his temples wearily, realizing it was a trap. They had used Lady Jenna to lure the girl and Axilla had taken the bait. "Has anyone had access to your seal recently? Or have there been visitors?" He inquired, attempting to piece together the missing dots.

Lady Jenna hummed, "Yes, in fact, Axilla witnessed the visitors and behaved strangely when she saw them. But they were just travellers whom I allowed to stay for few days, they left this morning. Can someone please enlighten me as to what is occurring?" She implored, now concerned for all involved.

Cortez approached Lady Hash, crouching beside her as he gently took her hand. "Lady Hash, you must tell me everything you know at once. Who is my father, and what is this concerning Axilla being your daughter?" he urged.

Lady Hash sniffled back her tears, "He was here; he came to inform me that he had taken my child because I trained his own offspring. Your father is a man of great evil. I refrained from informing you, believing he would never find us. Yet, he did. Cortez, it was the same man who killed the father of the current king of Morado," she paused to catch her breath.

"Your father is the Supreme King of Badukeh. King Venantius Harlem," she revealed in a low voice afraid of mentioning the name.